Ladies European Tour player Jess Baker shares her favourite places to play, her fondest golfing memories, and who would make it into her dream fourball
Jess Baker has enjoyed an incredible run to her first season on the Ladies European Tour – including international wins with the England national team, success with the University of Central Florida Knights during her four years studying in the US, and a sensational victory in the 2022 Women’s Amateur – which led to appearances in major championship in Europe and the US. Having turned professional and earned an LET card for 2025 at the end of last year, Close House attached professional Jess has travelled the globe again this summer, playing a schedule across the main tour and LET Access Series. In between travelling and competing, we caught up with Jess for 18 holes and put our 18 questions to her…
How much golf do you get to play?
I do something golf-related six days a week when I’m at home. I’m in the gym four or five times and will run twice per week. I’ll practice six times and go out on the course an average of four times. That all changes when I’m away, but I keep up my gym work around tournament prep and playing.
How did you get into golf?
I got into the game through my dad and granny. She got my dad into it, then he got me and my brother involved. I started at The Northumberland Golf Club and on the driving range at what’s now High Gosforth Park. I played all sorts of junior events growing up, then got into the county girls’ and England Futures squads, and went from there. I was into lots of sports and music but golf was the one that really stuck, and I started taking it seriously from the age of 14.
Which is your favourite course in the North East?
I love playing at Dunstanburgh Castle – it’s very pretty and the conditioning is amazing. I love links golf and it’s a treat going up the coast for a day out.
And further afield?
Playing in the US Open at Pebble Beach is hard to beat! To play on that stretch of Californian coast was incredible and the whole week was a 10 out of 10 experience.
What’s your best score?
I shot a seven under-par 64 at Houston Oaks Golf Club in the Big 12 Conference Championship – a new championship record.
Which is your favourite golfing memory?
I have two which I can’t choose between. The first is the final day of the English Girls’ Strokeplay in 2019 – when I shot back-to-back six under-par rounds of 66 to finish third after a nine over-par opening round. The second one is the Women’s Amateur at Hunstanton in 2022. I scraped through the strokeplay qualifying and went into the matchplay with no expectations or pressure. Given the really tough year I’d had in the US before coming home that summer, it was so good to play for fun and do so well that week.
What about your most embarrassing moments on the course?
I played terribly in the Celebration of Champions at St Andrews ahead of The Open – just a week after winning the Women’s Amateur. It was so embarrassing to chunk my second shot on the first short of the burn in front of Colin Morikawa, though it took nothing away from an incredible day! I also holed out from 90 yards for a 13 at South Moor Golf Club once.
Do you have any golfing superstitions?
I have a few, though they’re more about what works for me than superstitions. I have a favourite ball marker – a little white coin with a sparkly sun on it – and I mark my ball with four pink dots around the number. My tees go in my right pocket and my glove goes in the left. My dad also has a bright pink cactus t-shirt which he wears whenever I make the cut.
What are your strengths on the course?
My driving – I hit it well and I’m pretty long.
And your weaknesses?
The fiddly feel shots from 50 yards and in – that’s where I need to do the most practise to stay sharp.
Which is your favourite club in the bag?
My PING G425 driver – which I’ve had for a while, love, and really look after.
Who is your best golfing friend?
My college teammate Tunrada ‘Pat’ Piddon. I still miss playing with her every day at college. We have a very similar sense of humour and she’s really good to be around.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing golf?
I majored in psychology at college, so I hope I’d be using that and working in sport in some way.
Who is your favourite golfer?
I’d pick Lydia Ko as she’s so down to earth and I relate to a lot of her values.
Which golf event do you enjoy most?
It was always the Women’s Amateur – even before I won it. The courses it’s played on and its history make it so special.
Who do you admire?
Nelly Korda is someone I’ve added to the list recently and I find myself thinking ‘What would Nelly do in this situation’ sometimes. She’s an unbelievable player and having seen her up close at majors in 2023, I can confirm she does things on another level.
Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?
I think about this a lot and right now I’d go for my childhood crush, Niall Horan; my adulthood crush, Tom Holland; and the most interesting golfer on tour right now – Bryson DeChambeau.
If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it?
Everything happens for a reason, but I wish I had taken my time on the second day of the 2022 Canadian Open and made the cut rather than rushing as play was coming to a close due to darkness and ultimately missing the cut by one the following morning.
